Double “Bricktorians”

7/11/25 48 Comments

Authored & Curated By

M.J.G.

Two Brick Victorian Homes
Today’s historic photo study highlights two exceptional Victorian brick homes in Springfield Massachusetts from the late 19th century, each reflecting highly creative and artistic planning. Both photographs were taken by Milan P. Warner. While these specific homes are not labeled in Warner’s collection, their identification was discovered early on in the post thanks to two of our fellow OHD member’s John Shiflet and JimH.

The home on the left belonged to Warren Sherwood Rogers. Rogers was a button manufacturer.

The home on the right was owned by Richard Hale Smith. Mr. Smith was the President of R. H. Smith Mfg Co. and was advertised for many of his products such as the Vulcanizer and the Springfield Speedometer.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
This 1886 map shows that the house on the corner was built first and that during 1886 the foundation was being constructed for the home on the left.

By 1896, both houses were well established and were known as 45 and 49 Main Street.

The House on the Left. The front porch is fantastic and bold. While simply executed, the balustrade and posts create a strong, substantial appearance. The balusters on this house are aligned next to the columns, rather than spaced evenly between the column, which is usually done, which creates a distinctive effect. There appears to be a nameplate on the door and something else to the right, possibly a house number. The stairs feature attractive stone or concrete ornamentation on both sides. Above the steps is a number, which appears to be 49. The porch columns and dark rails seem to have a textured finish.

The second floor of this home is especially creative. Your eye is immediately drawn to the shallow archway with two small shuttered windows angled toward the center. Some shutters are fully closed, while others are partially open, suggesting that the morning sun may have been intense. The diamond-patterned brick band at the window base contrasts sharply with the striped brick pattern along the tops of the windows. These alternating brick patterns create a striking visual effect.

On the third level, the same brick belt courses and alternating patterns are used in different arrangements that correspond with those on the lower floor, but in a much bolder and heavier manner.

Ready-Made Brick Catalog
Pressed brick could be easily obtained from local brickyards or through catalog orders. This house features brick no. 503 and 510, along with several other ready-made patterns.

The House on the Right. Between the two houses is a narrow strip of land where an unidentified man stands on the lawn, likely this man is Richard H Smith standing in front of his property. The side of the home is impressive. To the left, there is a small, staked hydrangea plant, and behind it, vines appear to be climbing upward. In the foreground, a metal-ringed horse hitching post is visible. Was there a small toilet room under the stairs that explains the tiny window above his head?

The front porch on this home is much smaller but still follows a similar design as its neighbor, featuring columns and a balustrade. On this house, the balustrade is painted a darker color. The stained glass window transoms have a “cracked ice” pattern with central circular designs. The blind is closed, and there also appears to be a wooden interior roller shutter blind.

The second floor is largely hidden by the tree, but a few details are still visible. Pebbledash—today’s term for stucco or cement embedded with stones, pebbles, or other materials—appears above the bay window. On Queen Anne homes like this, roughcast effects were often used creatively to add ornamentation, providing a contrast between rustic texture and decorative design. This house incorporates “pebbledash “in several areas, each featuring different patterns, which will be easier to see in later views.

The third floor features a prominent wood or terracotta ornament at the peak. Just below, an arched panel above the window is filled with “pebbledash”, where objects embedded into the stucco or cement to form a stylized Renaissance scroll—mirroring the scroll motifs found elsewhere in the home’s ornamentation.

The iron roof cresting at the top is striking. The roof is slate and topped with impressive iron cresting. These areas usually have a ladder and scuttle with crude access. Every once in a while, you will see someone sitting on a small roof balcony for a photo.

The clipped gable to the right appears to have windows that tilt outward. The gable on the left is beautifully and creatively executed, with “pebbledash” fitted between the diamond pattern.

The original photo has been enhanced and lightened to reveal what appear to be three stained glass windows along the staircase. Only the center window is double-hung, while the windows on the left and right are single sash.

Francis R. Richmond, architect
Francis Richard Richmond was born April 20, 1851, in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, to Otis Abiathar Richmond and Laura Elmer (Ware) Richmond. He was educated in the public schools and academy of Townshend, Vermont, and trained as a carpenter in Amherst before moving to Springfield, where he studied architecture in the office of Eugene C. Gardner. Richmond remained with Gardner until 1882, when he formed the partnership Richmond & Seabury with B. Hammett Seabury. The firm operated until 1890, after which both men established independent practices. Richmond continued to practice in Springfield until his death in 1907 at the young age of 56. The photo is from the book A Souvenir of Massachusetts Legislators in 1896 when he became a representative from the 8th Hampden district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Updated 7/14/25 Thanks to JimH

A Different Perspective
Here we see both brick homes from the opposite side of the street. The side profiles of both houses are visible, including their small balconies.

The Home on the Left. Lightening the photo reveals more porch details than were visible in the original. This angle provides a clearer view of the porch on the house to the left. We can only surmise what the color scheme was. Dark trim was very popular during the 1870’s and 1880 and did carry into the 1890’s but began to be exchanged with lighter trim.

A view of the chimney ornamentation gives us a view of the brick ornamentation constructed into the chimney wall.

The Home on the Right. The front of the house on the right provides a much better view of the porch gable, which appears to feature the “pebbledash” ornamentation between the beams we spoke of earlier. (later we’ll see this up close) Also take note of the long shutter arm on the left. This device makes it easier to pull the shutter closed without having to hang out of the window.

The stained glass transoms offer a closer view of the patterns. The central window appears to contain two opalescent or light-colored glass pieces. The windows on the left and right have a different design.

A closer look at the window shows the shades drawn and provides a clearer view of the sliding wood blinds. These were sometimes called Venetian roller blinds or sliding blinds and were built into the top sash, the lower sash, or both.

To the right on the side of the home, there is an insert in the home for the side street name CHURCH ST.

Ready-Made Shutter Blind Catalog
These sliding blinds were available in many styles. In this illustration, the top rollers resemble a tambour cover, similar to what you might see on a rolltop desk and in today’s homes. The bottom rollers in this example are louvered interior blinds. Various options were offered to suit different preferences.

This illustration from Wilson’s catalog shows the construction of their patented frame.

The full catalog from the 1890s can be found here.

Here he is seen again posing on the other side of the house. Take note as to how his feet disappear in the lush grass.

This lightened view reveals many fine details on the house. The ornamentation on the corner balcony bracket is very elaborate. The railings are similar to those on the front porch but not identical. The window transoms are striking, featuring art glass similar to the others, though on this home they are not covered by shutters. The back porch appears to have two components or may be two separate structures. One section is a glass enclosure that could serve as a conservatory. Look closely between the two windows and you’ll see chicken wire from the ground to a board on the house trailing vines up.

The back porch features a section that is enclosed with glass, possibly serving as a sunroom or space for plants. Beyond this area, the neighboring house is visible.

The small second-floor bedroom balcony is accessed by a floor-length window. There are many details to observe here, including the complex angles throughout this section. Between the two windows is a stained glass window, and the brickwork features a checkerboard pattern, either painted or created with black-faced brick. To the left of the balcony is a chimney with a double triangular vertical brick design. Above the triple windows are impressive belt courses.

The brick cornice detail on the back wing of the house is completely different from the front, featuring a stepped brick pattern.

The third floor mirrors the design seen on the other side, with remarkable architectural details. The same “pebbledash” pattern appears above the shuttered windows as on the opposite side of the house. The cornice below the dormer is highly elaborate and once noticed, it demands your attention.

In this view, the top portion of the chimney appears to have been repointed or repaired due to damage or erosion, which is unusual for a home this new.

Ready-Made Iron Roof Cresting Catalog
Iron roof cresting and finials were also mass-produced and available by catalog order.

This full catalog from E.T. Barnum Wire & Iron Works 1883 can be found here.

In this shot, we can see another view of the internal roller blinds. Also, note the privacy curtains positioned halfway up the window sash, without covering the entire sash. These were sometimes seen during the 19th century. In this view we also get a closeup of the fantastic scroll work patterns set into the brick wall below the windows. Take some time to study this fantastic, artistic execution.

A closer view reveals the ornamental brickwork, with two distinct patterns installed in an alternating sequence. The vine climbing up the house on the left appears to be wisteria.

Here is the closest view of the “pebbledash” on the clipped, or jerkinhead, gable. The pattern appears mostly symmetrical. This angle also provides a clearer look at the alternating brick belt courses between the black brick. All these textures that these homes, especially this home, execute create a solid and artistic visual experience that continues to fascinate people like us today.

Before & After:
The homes still stand in Springfeild Massachussets on the corner of Main and Church Street.

The front porch was truncated, though the upper portion of its details was reused on the smaller version. The house has been painted, and the double-decker balconies are now missing.

Unsurprisingly, Smith’s house has lost its iron cresting, finials, and slate roof to time. However, several original architectural details still remain.

The corner street view reveals that many of the home’s original details are still visible. While the railings on the front porch have been replaced, much of the stained glass appears to remain intact.

The “pebbledash” is still in situ, giving us a glimpse of the original stone colors, which appear to be a mix of greens and browns… looks like the color of old bottles doesn’t it?

The front porch gables are fantastic and remain in excellent condition, with the original stones still set in place.

Broken Bottle Dash?
What we know today as pebble dash, appears on this house was broken bottle’s inserted into the stucco or cement in a pattern. It is unclear why the architect or owner chose this for his house but it certainly adds a unique element the construction. I’ve been unable to locate much information on this or pebble dash by doing word searches in archive books or google books so perhaps it was known with a different name. If someone finds out, please post in the comments below.

Now we see a closer look of the pattern over the front steps. This fantastic execution of the base of bottles in a very creative sunburst still appears to be in fantastic condition.

Updated 7/15/25 thanks to new member Juewles who so kindly went to this location and too these shots!

This wraps up our visual journey through these two outstanding brick homes. Special thanks to Jim H for his detailed research on the original owners, and to John Shiflet for his initial discovery that started it all. If you have any insights or information about these houses, please add them in the comments section below.

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